Bipolar symptoms, somatic burden and functioning in older-age bipolar disorder: A replication study from the global aging & geriatric experiments in bipolar disorder database (GAGE-BD) project.

OBJECTIVES: The Global Aging & Geriatric Experiments in Bipolar Disorder Database (GAGE-BD) project pools archival datasets on older age bipolar disorder (OABD). An initial Wave 1 (W1; n = 1369) analysis found both manic and depressive symptoms reduced among older patients. To replicate this finding, we gathered an independent Wave 2 (W2; n = 1232, mean ± standard deviation age 47.2 ± 13.5, 65% women, 49% aged over 50) dataset. DESIGN/METHODS: Using mixed models with random effects for cohort, we examined associations between BD symptoms, somatic burden and age and the contribution of these to functioning in W2 and the combined W1 + W2 sample (n = 2601). RESULTS: Compared to W1, the W2 sample was younger (p < 0.001), less educated (p < 0.001), more symptomatic (p < 0.001), lower functioning (p < 0.001) and had fewer somatic conditions (p < 0.001). In the full W2, older individuals had reduced manic symptom severity, but age was not associated with depression severity. Age was not associated with functioning in W2. More severe BD symptoms (mania p ≤ 0.001, depression p ≤ 0.001) were associated with worse functioning. Older age was significantly associated with higher somatic burden in the W2 and the W1 + W2 samples, but this burden was not associated with poorer functioning. CONCLUSIONS: In a large, independent sample, older age was associated with less severe mania and more somatic burden (consistent with previous findings), but there was no association of depression with age (different from previous findings). Similar to previous findings, worse BD symptom severity was associated with worse functioning, emphasizing the need for symptom relief in OABD to promote better functioning.

Essential data dimensions for prospective international data collection in older age bipolar disorder (OABD): Recommendations from the GAGE-BD group.

BACKGROUND: By 2030, over 50% of individuals living with bipolar disorder (BD) are expected to be aged ≥50 years. However, older age bipolar disorder (OABD) remains understudied. There are limited large-scale prospectively collected data organized in key dimensions capable of addressing several fundamental questions about BD affecting this subgroup of patients. METHODS: We developed initial recommendations for the essential dimensions for OABD data collection, based on (1) a systematic review of measures used in OABD studies, (2) a Delphi consensus of international OABD experts, (3) experience with harmonizing OABD data in the Global Aging & Geriatric Experiments in Bipolar Disorder Database (GAGE-BD, n ≥ 4500 participants), and (4) critical feedback from 34 global experts in geriatric mental health. RESULTS: We identified 15 key dimensions and variables within each that are relevant for the investigation of OABD: (1) demographics, (2) core symptoms of depression and (3) mania, (4) cognition screening and subjective cognitive function, (5) elements for BD diagnosis, (6) descriptors of course of illness, (7) treatment, (8) suicidality, (9) current medication, (10) psychiatric comorbidity, (11) psychotic symptoms, (12) general medical comorbidities, (13) functioning, (14) family history, and (15) other. We also recommend particular instruments for capturing some of the dimensions and variables. CONCLUSION: The essential data dimensions we present should be of use to guide future international data collection in OABD and clinical practice. In the longer term, we aim to establish a prospective consortium using this core set of dimensions and associated variables to answer research questions relevant to OABD.

Evaluation of the relationship between perceived social support, coping strategies, anxiety, and depression symptoms among hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the relationship between perceived social support, coping strategies, anxiety, and depression symptoms among hospitalized COVID-19 patients by comparing them with a matched control group in terms of age, gender, and education level. METHOD: The patient group (n = 84) and the healthy controls (HCs, n = 92) filled in the questionnaire including the socio-demographic form, Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale, Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale, and Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced through the online survey link. RESULTS: The COVID-19 patients had higher perceived social support and coping strategies scores than the HCs. However, anxiety and depression scores did not differ significantly between the two groups. In logistic regression analysis performed in COVID-19 patients, the presence of chest CT finding (OR = 4.31; 95% CI = 1.04-17.95) was a risk factor for anxiety and the use of adaptive coping strategies (OR = 0.86; 95% CI = 0.73-0.99) had a negative association with anxiety. In addition, the use of adaptive coping strategies (OR = 0.89; 95% CI = 0.79-0.98) and high perceived social support (OR = 0.97; 95% CI = 0.93- 0,99) had a negative association with depression symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Longitudinal studies involving the return to normality phase of the COVID-19 pandemic are needed to investigate the effects of factors such as coping strategies and perceived social support that could increase the psychological adjustment and resilience of individuals on anxiety and depression.

Investigation of the correlation between mood disorder symptoms and disease activity and functional status in rheumatoid arthritis patients

Background/aim: To investigate the correlation between depressive-anxiety symptoms, mixed features, disease activity, and functional status in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the light of the shared underlying etiology in both disorders. Materials and methods: The study included 556 patients with RA. RA disease activity was measured using the Disease Activity Score 28-joint count C reactive protein (DAS28-CRP), and the patients were evaluated by a Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ), and Modified Hypomania Checklist (mHCL) were used to evaluate the mixed depression and bipolarity status of the patients. Results: Of the patients, 430 (77.3%) were female and 126 (22.7%) were male. The median age was 57 years, the median HAQ score was 0.55 points, and the median DAS28-CRP score was 4.1 points. The evaluation of the patients by DAS28-CRP revealed that 58.5% of the patients had moderate and severe disease activity, while only 23.4% of them were in remission. The group using the combination of synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (sDMARD) and steroid therapy had significantly higher HAD-depression, HAD-anxiety, mHCL, DAS28-CRP, HAQ, and MDQ scores than the group using sDMARD alone. The grouping of the patients based on the DAS28-CRP cut-off scores showed that the patients with moderate and severe disease activity had significantly higher HADS, mHCL, MDQ scores than those in remission and those with mild disease activity (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Disease severity and functional status in RA can be affected by comorbid anxiety-depressive and mixed symptoms. Therefore, clinicians should consider screening the depressive-anxiety and mixed mood symptoms of RA patients. Moreover, patients who use steroid therapy are more susceptible to mood symptoms (anxiety, depression, bipolarity), which should also be considered during the follow-up of patients.

Minor Physical Anomalies in Bipolar Disorder.

OBJECTIVE: High-arched palate is more frequent in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (BD). Upto 40% of patients develop schizophrenia in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome manifested with cleft lip and palate, which originate from the first pharyngeal arch in embryo. The auricle also originates from the dorsal ends of the first and second pharyngeal arches; hence, we aimed to determine the associations between auricular anomalies and BD. METHODS: We screened for 36 minor physical anomalies of the auricle in 146 patients with BD. RESULTS: 7 out of the of 36 assessed anomalies highly differed between healthy subjects and BD patients. A regression model including the differing anomalies predicted healthy subjects and BD-patients by 78.8% and 68.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Assessing minor anomalies in psychiatric disorders may help to discover novel pathogenesis pathways and even new endophenotypes.

Evaluation of Bruxism and Its Relation with Treatment Regimens among Remitted Bipolar Patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of bruxism and treatment regimens among remitted bipolar patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The total case group included 222 adult patients with BD. Diagnosis of bruxism was based upon the on 'self-reports' plus the outcome from the clinical examinations. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 112 (50.5%) bipolar patients with bruxism and 110 (49.5%) without bruxism. Remitted bipolar patients who were on mood stabilizer plus atypical antipsychotic treatment had lower bruxism rates than patients on other than bipolar patients on mood stabilizer treatment regimen (p=0.04) and bipolar patients on polypharmacy (p=0.01). CONCLUSION: Our findings have supported the existence of psychotropic drug-bruxism relation and atypical antipsychotic related therapeutic effect among bipolar patients.

Affective Temperament and Seasonality in Bipolar Disorder.

BACKGROUND: Both affective temperaments and seasonality impact on the illness course in bipolar disorder (BD). This exploratory study aims to investigate the link between seasonality and affective temperament in BD. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Sixty-six euthymic patients with BD-I were recruited. The Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ) and Temperament Evaluation Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego-Autoquestionnaire version scale (TEMPS-A) were applied. RESULTS: The seasonal BD rate was 39.4% (n=26). Depressive and anxious temperament scores were higher in patients with seasonality. The SPAQ total scores were also associated with depressive, cyclothymic, and anxious affective temperament scores. CONCLUSION: Our findings warrant further investigation to understanding the complex interaction between seasonality, mood regulation, and temperament collectively moderating illness course in BD. This study implies that affective temperament may have some value in discerning the link between seasonality and illness course in BD.

Oral Health among Patients with Bipolar Disorder.

PURPOSE: To compare the oral health of patients with bipolar disorder (BD) with a control group of subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study sample comprised 242 patients with BD and a mean age of 35.8 years. The control group comprised 187 subjects and a mean age of 37.3 years. Oral health was assessed through clinical examination by the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) Index, the Community Periodontal Index (CPI), and the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S). RESULTS: Patients with BD had higher caries prevalence, poorer periodontal health, and poorer oral hygiene than control group subjects. The average DMFT index score was 10.0 (SD = 5.7) in the BD group and 8.1 (SD = 5.2) in the control group (p = 0.002). The mean value of decayed teeth in patients with BD (4.5) was significantly higher than that of the control group (2.3) (p < 0.001). Periodontal diseases were significantly more prevalent among patients with BD (p < 0.001), particularly regarding shallow and deep pockets (47.1% vs. 16.6%). Oral dryness (xerostomia) and severe tooth wear were also more prevalent among patients with BD (p < 0.001). Statistically significant risk factors for higher DMFT scores were: older age and having BD; CPI scores of 3 or 4; having BD, male gender, older age, and lower educational level. CONCLUSION: Poorer oral health among patients with BD is represented mostly as caries and advanced periodontal disease. The results of this study highlight the necessity to intensify preventive dentistry in this vulnerable population.

Screening mixed depression and bipolarity in the postpartum period at a primary health care center.

INTRODUCTION: Mixed depression is a clinical condition accompanied by the symptoms of (hypo)mania and is considered to be a predictor for bipolar disorder. Compared to pure major depression, mixed depression is worse in progress. There are limited data on the prevalence of mixed depression since it is a relatively new entity. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of mixed depression during the postpartum period which is risky for mood disorders. METHODS: The study included 63 postpartum women. The participants were administered Beck Depression Scale, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Mood Disorders Questionnaire (MDQ), and Modified Hypomania Symptom Checklist-32 (mHCL-32). RESULTS: The MDQ scores of the women with expected depression according to the EPDS cut-off scores, were significantly higher than the women with lower EPDS scores (t=-4.968; p<0.001). The modified hypomania scores were significantly higher in the women with higher depression scores compared to the women under EPDS cut-off scores (t=-4.713; p<0.001). According to the EPDS and BDS results, 27 (42.9%) and 14 (22.2%) women needed additional clinical examination for depression, respectively. In addition, 3 (4.8%) women require additional clinical examination for bipolar disorder. The scores for the first item of MDQ were above the cut-off value in 11 (17.5%) women. According to the mHCL-32 results, 50 (79.4%) women had at least 1 symptom, 45 (71.4%) women had at least 3 symptoms, and 43 (68.3%) women had at least 5 symptoms of mixed depression. CONCLUSION: Postpartum mixed depression should be promptly diagnosed by using appropriate diagnostic tools, particularly by primary health care physicians. Patients with mixed depression should be closely monitored to avoid manic switch.

Temperament characteristics in patients with panic disorder and their first-degree relatives.

AIM: Panic disorder is one of the highly heritable anxiety disorders; and temperament characteristics are considered predicting liability to panic disorder. Accumulating evidence suggests temperament characteristics are intermediate phenotypes for clinical conditions. Given this background, we aimed to investigate temperament characteristics in patients with panic disorder, their first-degree relatives, and healthy controls. METHOD: Study sample consisted of 60 patients with panic disorder, 37 first-degree relatives of these patients, and 37 age, gender, and education level matched healthy controls (HC). SCID-I, the Panic Agoraphobia Scale, and the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory were applied to assess clinical characteristics of the patient group. Temperament characteristics were assessed using the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, San Diego Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A). RESULTS: Anxious, depressive, cyclothymic, and irritable temperament scores of patients were higher than those of HC. There was no difference between the patients and the relatives, with the exception of higher anxious temperament scores in patients. CONCLUSION: Overall, our findings suggest that anxious temperament characteristic might be a trait marker for liability to panic disorder. Further research with a prospective design in a larger sample is required to confirm our findings.

Lifetime hypomanic symptoms in remitted patients with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.

BACKGROUND: Clinical, genetic and neuroimaging studies indicated strong evidence against traditional diagnostic separation of bipolar disorder from schizophrenia. In this study, we aimed to evaluate hypomanic symptoms and influence on general functioning among psychotic patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders were assessed between June and September 2010. Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS), Hypomania Check List-32 (HCL-32), Mood Disorders Questionnaire (MDQ) and General Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAS) were applied to all 93 patients. Answers of self-rating scales were confirmed with hospital records. RESULTS: Mean age was 35.7 ± 9.5 years, mean age of onset was 20.3 ± 5.3 years and duration of illness was 15.4 ± 9.2 years. 30.1% of the patients, had a history of mood stabilizer treatment taken at least one month while one five of the patients had different psychiatric diagnosis other than current diagnosis. 26.9% of the patients with psychotic disorders had positive scores on both MDQ and HCL-32 but there were no significant difference between patients in terms of general functioning (p = 0.82). CONCLUSIONS: As reported in this study, there is no simple, clear-cut between schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder.

The effect of mobbing on the development of depression in anesthesia workers: A prospective, multicenter, observational study.

BACKGROUND: Mobbing in the workplace is a critical problem affecting healthcare workers' psychological health and performance. However, there is a lack of data on the relationship between mobbing and depression and a lack of regulations to create a decent working environment. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the frequency of exposure to mobbing and the depression levels that may be related to mobbing among the employees of the Anesthesiology and Reanimation Clinic. METHODS: In this multi-center cross-sectional study, employees were evaluated with Leymann's Inventory of Psychological Terror scale and the Beck Depression Inventory. RESULTS: Of the participants, 86.2% stated that they were exposed to mobbing. The presence of mobbing was also associated with the presence of psychological and depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: The frequency of mobbing was relatively high among Anesthesiology and Reanimation clinic employees. Mobbing exposure was found to be associated with a high level of depression. Institutional and legal precautions should be taken, and awareness of mobbing should be increased to eliminate mobbing and its consequences on healthcare workers.

Neurotrophic factor levels and executive functions in children of parents with bipolar disorder: A case controlled study.

BACKGROUND: In the current study, it was aimed to evaluate neurotrophic factor levels and their relationship with executive functions in high-risk children and adolescents (high-risk group) whose parents were diagnosed with bipolar disorder (BD) but not affected by any psychiatric disease,and in order to determine possible vulnerability factors related to the disease. METHODS: The study sample consisted of 32 high-risk group and 34 healthy controls. The Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children-Present and Lifetime Version-Turkish Adaptation (KSADS-PL-T), Stroop Test, Serial Digit Learning Test (SDLT) and Cancellation Test to evaluate executive functions were administered to all participants by the clinician.Serum levels of neurotrophic factors were measured using commercial enzyme linked immunosorbent assay kits. RESULTS: Serum BDNF, NT-3, NT-4 levels and SDLT scores were significantly lower in the high-risk group for BD compared to the healthy control group. A moderate negative correlation was found between BDNF levels and the Cancellation Test scores in the high-risk group. In addition to these results, the odds ratios of age, NT-4, SDLT scores for being in the risky group in terms of BD diagnosis were 1.26, 0.99 and 0.86 respectively. LIMITATIONS: This was a cross-sectional study. Causality between study results is therefore difficult to establish. The relatively small sample size of the study is another limitation. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggest that BDNF, NT-3, NT-4 may play a role in the physiopathology of BD and may be associated with impaired executive function areas such as attention and response inhibition in the high-risk group.

Physical comorbidities of older age bipolar disorder (OABD) patients: A global replication analysis of prevalence and sex differences.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the prevalence of physical morbidities between older aged patients with bipolar disorder (OABD) and non-psychiatric comparisons (NC), and to analyze sex differences in prevalence. METHODS: OABD was defined as bipolar disorder among adults aged ≥50 years. Outcomes analyzed were the prevalence of diseases affecting the cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, renal, musculoskeletal, and endocrine systems. The analysis used cross-sectional data of OABD participants (n = 878; mean age 60.9 ± 8.0 years, n = 496 (56%) women) from the collaborative Global Aging & Geriatric Experiments in Bipolar Disorder (GAGE-BD) dataset and NC participants recruited at the same sites (n = 355; mean age 64.4 ± 9.7 years, n = 215 (61%) women). RESULTS: After controlling for sex, age, education, and smoking history, the OABD group had more cardiovascular (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 2.12 [1.38-3.30]), renal (5.97 [1.31-43.16]), musculoskeletal (2.09 [1.30-3.43]) and endocrine (1.90 [1.20-3.05]) diseases than NC. Women with OABD had more gastrointestinal (1.56 [0.99-2.49]), genitourinary (1.72 [1.02-2.92]), musculoskeletal (2.64 [1.66-4.37]) and endocrine (1.71 [1.08-2.73]) comorbidities than men with OABD, when age, education, smoking history, and study site were controlled. CONCLUSIONS: This replication GAGE-BD study confirms previous findings indicating that OABD present more physical morbidities than matched comparison participants, and that this health burden is significantly greater among women.

Clinical potential of cariprazine in the treatment of acute mania.

Cariprazine (RGH-188, trans-4-{2-[4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-piperazine-1-yl]-ethyl}-N,N-dimethylcarbamoyl-cyclohexyl-amine hydrochloride), is a novel antipsychotic with dopamine D2 and D3 receptors antagonist-partial agonist properties. Cariprazine has also moderate affinity for serotonin 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HT) 1A receptors, high affinity for 5-HT1B receptors with pure antagonism and low affinity for 5-HT2A receptors. Randomized, double blind, placebo controlled, flexible-dose (3-12 mg/day) studies have demonstrated cariprazine is effective in both schizophrenia and acute manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder. The incidence of serious adverse events in cariprazine arm was no different than in placebo arm in these studies. The most common adverse events were extrapyramidal symptoms, headache, akathisia, constipation, nausea, and dyspepsia which can be explained with cariprazine's partial dopamine agonism. Although cariprazine treatment was associated with a higher incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events, particularly akathisia and tremor, common side effects of marketed second generation antipsychotics such as weight gain, metabolic disturbances, prolactin increase or QTc prolongation were not associated with cariprazine, probably due to its moderate to low binding affinity for histamine H1 and 5-HT2C receptors. Animal studies show that cariprazine may have additional therapeutic benefit on impaired cognitive functioning with D3 receptor activity, however clinical data is still scarce. The aim of this article is to review the potential use of cariprazine for the treatment of acute manic episodes in the light of the preclinical and clinical trials reported to date.

Evaluation of the Role of Affective Temperamental Features, Automatic Thoughts, and Symptom Interpretation on Disease Activity in Patients with Axial Spondyloarthritis.

Objective: Axial spondyloarthritis is a systemic and chronic inflammatory disease. Psychological liability to depression and anxiety influences the disease process, prognosis, and treatment outcomes of other medical conditions. Early detection and treatment of these psychiatric conditions would also help in improving the physical functioning of patients with axial spondyloarthritis by reducing the patient's anxiety and depression symptoms. We evaluated the affective temperamental features, automatic thoughts, symptom interpretation, and their relationship with disease activity in patients with axial spondyloarthritis. Methods: A total of 152 patients diagnosed with axial spondyloarthritis are recruited. Axial spondyloarthritis disease activity was calculated by Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index. Depression and anxiety levels were screened with Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale while affective temperament was evaluated with Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego-autoquestionnaire version and automatic thoughts were screened with Symptom Interpretation Questionnaire, and Automatic thoughts questionnaire. Results: It was observed that 48% (n = 73) were female. The mean age was 43.5 (10.5) years, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index score was 3.97 (1.14). According to the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index scale, 53.30% (n = 81) of the patients were in high disease activity. We found that HAD-depression, HAD-anxiety, Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego-autoquestionnaire version, Symptom Interpretation Questionnaire, and Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire scores were significantly higher in the high disease activity group. Conclusion: Patients' temperament characteristics and mood disorders may affect composite disease activity scores such as Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index. In patients with high disease activity scores despite receiving appropriate treatment, mood disorders may need to be evaluated. There is a need to develop disease activity scores unaffected by mood disorders.

Exploratory study of ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation and age of onset of bipolar disorder.

BACKGROUND: Sunlight contains ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation that triggers the production of vitamin D by skin. Vitamin D has widespread effects on brain function in both developing and adult brains. However, many people live at latitudes (about > 40 N or S) that do not receive enough UVB in winter to produce vitamin D. This exploratory study investigated the association between the age of onset of bipolar I disorder and the threshold for UVB sufficient for vitamin D production in a large global sample. METHODS: Data for 6972 patients with bipolar I disorder were obtained at 75 collection sites in 41 countries in both hemispheres. The best model to assess the relation between the threshold for UVB sufficient for vitamin D production and age of onset included 1 or more months below the threshold, family history of mood disorders, and birth cohort. All coefficients estimated at P ≤ 0.001. RESULTS: The 6972 patients had an onset in 582 locations in 70 countries, with a mean age of onset of 25.6 years. Of the onset locations, 34.0% had at least 1 month below the threshold for UVB sufficient for vitamin D production. The age of onset at locations with 1 or more months of less than or equal to the threshold for UVB was 1.66 years younger. CONCLUSION: UVB and vitamin D may have an important influence on the development of bipolar disorder. Study limitations included a lack of data on patient vitamin D levels, lifestyles, or supplement use. More study of the impacts of UVB and vitamin D in bipolar disorder is needed to evaluate this supposition.

Decreased miR-15b-5p/miR-155-5p levels and increased miR-134-5p/miR-652-3p levels among BD patients under lithium treatment.

BACKGROUND: There is an increasing interest about the role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of bipolar disorder (BD). In this study, we aimed to examine the role of miRNAs as potential diagnostic and clinical biomarkers in BD. METHODS: Fifteen miRNAs in plasmas obtained from BD patients (n = 66) and from the healthy control group (n = 66) were analyzed by a qPCR test. Clinical variables including lithium treatment response were assessed with various test batteries. The correlation of the miRNA levels with the clinical variables and scale scores was examined. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were performed using the DIANA-miRPath v.3.0 software to identify the possible target genes. RESULTS: The miR-132, miR-134, miR-152, miR-607, miR-633, and miR-652 levels were significantly increased, whereas the miR-15b and miR-155 levels were found to be significantly decreased in the patient group compared to the controls. The miR-15b-5p and miR-155-5p levels and increases in the miR-134-5p and miR-652-3p levels were calculated to have 83.3 % sensitivity and 78.8 % specificity in determining the risk of BD. miR-155-5p was associated with the disease burden and severity. Fatty acid biosynthesis and metabolism, viral carcinogenesis, the EBV infection, and extracellular matrix and adhesion pathways were highlighted as target pathways. CONCLUSION: We can conclude that miRNAs may play a role in the pathophysiology of BD through various biological pathways and that miRNAs may be used as a screening test to distinguish bipolar patients from healthy controls. Our findings will provide a basis for long-term follow-up studies with larger samples.

Association between polarity of first episode and solar insolation in bipolar I disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Circadian rhythm disruption is commonly observed in bipolar disorder (BD). Daylight is the most powerful signal to entrain the human circadian clock system. This exploratory study investigated if solar insolation at the onset location was associated with the polarity of the first episode of BD I. Solar insolation is the amount of electromagnetic energy from the Sun striking a surface area of the Earth. METHODS: Data from 7488 patients with BD I were collected at 75 sites in 42 countries. The first episode occurred at 591 onset locations in 67 countries at a wide range of latitudes in both hemispheres. Solar insolation values were obtained for every onset location, and the ratio of the minimum mean monthly insolation to the maximum mean monthly insolation was calculated. This ratio is largest near the equator (with little change in solar insolation over the year), and smallest near the poles (where winter insolation is very small compared to summer insolation). This ratio also applies to tropical locations which may have a cloudy wet and clear dry season, rather than winter and summer. RESULTS: The larger the change in solar insolation throughout the year (smaller the ratio between the minimum monthly and maximum monthly values), the greater the likelihood the first episode polarity was depression. Other associated variables were being female and increasing percentage of gross domestic product spent on country health expenditures. (All coefficients: P ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSION: Increased awareness and research into circadian dysfunction throughout the course of BD is warranted.

Adherence to Turkish psychiatric association guideline for bipolar depression treatment in a specialized mood disorders outpatient unit.

BACKGROUND: Bipolar patients spend up to one third of their lives in depression however, acute treatment guidelines mainly focused on the manic phase of illness. With recent attention to the importance of evidence-based medicine in psychiatry, a number of treatment guidelines have emerged to aid clinicians in clinical decision making. Here, we aim to measure concordance with the Turkish Psychiatric Association Treatment Guideline for Bipolar Disorders (TPATGBD) for the depressive phase of illness. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Bipolar patients attending the Rasit Tahsin Mood Disorders Outpatient Unit of Istanbul Bakirköy Research and Training Hospital for Psychiatry, Neurolgy & Neurosurgery, were assessed using standardized forms based on a nation-wide mood disorders follow-up program. Concordance of implementations with the TPATGBD were evaluated step by step for each level of depression severity. RESULTS: Concordance rates with the first step recommendations of the guideline were 29.4%, 27.4% and 87.5% for mild-moderate, moderate-severe (without psychosis) and severe depression (with psychosis), respectively. Concordance rates with the second step recommendations of the guideline were lower for bipolar depressions without psychosis. Overall, adherence to the guideline did not impact on time to remission (p=0.19). CONCLUSIONS: Despite considerable efforts to develop and disseminate evidence-based guidelines, they are not widely followed by clinicians and important opportunities clearly exist to educate clinicians about the feasibility and utility of clinical guidelines for bipolar disorder. Systematic studies in the future are required to clarify our understanding of clinicians' attitudes to the use of guidelines and to explain the discrepancy between guidelines and clinical practice.